Career Paths

I started selling fine jewelry at MAJOR RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT because after 30 years in increasingly difficult jobs of stress-invoking responsibility, it's the only job I could get post retirement at age 58.

It's not all bad. In fact, it's fun. Who knew? Of course, my salary barely covers my expenses, but truth be told, money isn't everything. If you'll look at my blog post at being a bad influence in a good way, well, I am quite convincing about the special honor and importance of treating one's self regularly and lavishly. If getting people to spend their hard earned (in most cases future earned) cash makes me a bad influence, I'm diggin' it.

I have to say that after many, many years of public-domain service, it is absolutely a dream come true to work with non-psychotic colleagues who are helpful, friendly, in possession of good manners and willing to do their jobs and do them well. Sheesh! Who knew that kind of work environment actually existed? No one in civil service, that's for sure. The Major Retail Establishment should be running the country.

But back to jewelry selling. I guess the high point of my week was selling a very expensive three strand cultured pearl necklace to a woman who was about to celebrate her 50th birthday. It was such a kick! I've been married (let's not go into how many times) but I've yet to receive a pearl necklace from my husband(s). Duh! I could have bought it myself, but never entertained the notion. I hope that 50 year old woman has the happiest birthday of her life, wearing her pearl necklace and taking herself out to dinner. You go girl!

An elderly gentlemen looked at a very nice watch but didn't buy. However, he told me I had beautiful eyes and nice teeth. He made my day, which is sometimes much more important than meeting a sale's goal.

Anyhow, I'm enjoying this job......and I haven't said that in like seventeen years or so. There are downsides --- not all customers are a delight. But they still provide me with the opportunity to be thankful I can learn something from them, like how not to act toward a sales person.

At any rate, being in a major mall location is far more interesting than sitting in a stinking office. People are fascinating. The psychology of selling is interesting. Life is good.